Purple-stemmed turkey bush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Purple-stemmed turkey bush |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Leptospermum
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| Species: |
purpurascens
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Leptospermum purpurascens, also known as the purple-stemmed turkey bush, is a special kind of shrub or small tree. It only grows in far north Queensland, Australia. This plant is easy to spot because its new bark is a shiny purple color! It also has oval-shaped leaves, small white flowers that grow in pairs, and tiny fruits. These fruits drop off once their seeds are ready to spread.
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What Does the Purple-Stemmed Turkey Bush Look Like?
The purple-stemmed turkey bush is a shrub or small tree that can grow up to 6 meters (about 20 feet) tall. It has thin, rough bark that peels off every year. When the old bark sheds, it shows off the bright, new purple bark underneath. Younger branches are a bit hairy at first.
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves are shaped like an oval or a narrow spear. They are about 10 millimeters (less than half an inch) long and 2 to 4 millimeters wide. The top of the leaves is shiny, while the bottom is soft and hairy.
The flowers are usually white, but sometimes they can have a reddish tint. They are quite small, only about 3 to 5 millimeters wide. These flowers often grow in pairs. The part of the flower that holds the petals (called the floral cup) is hairy. The petals themselves are about 1.5 millimeters long.
When Does It Flower and What About Its Fruit?
This plant usually flowers in June and July. After the flowers, it grows small, round fruits called capsules. These capsules are about 3 millimeters across. Once the seeds inside are ready, the fruit falls off the plant.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The purple-stemmed turkey bush was officially named Leptospermum purpurascens in 1989. A botanist named Joy Thompson gave it this name. The second part of its name, purpurascens, comes from a Latin word. It means "purplish" or "becoming purple." This name perfectly describes the plant's unique purple new bark!
Where Does This Plant Grow?
This type of tea-tree loves to grow on rocky hillsides. You can find it only in the very northern parts of Queensland, Australia. It needs moist, well-drained soil to grow well. However, it doesn't like frost, so it needs a warm climate.
Is This Plant Protected?
Good news! The purple-stemmed turkey bush is not in danger. The Queensland Government has classified it as "least concern" under their Nature Conservation Act 1992. This means there are plenty of these plants around, and they are not at risk of disappearing.
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